Folding Bikes - Cheap folder for commuting? Newbie here

Hi guys,

I would like to spend as little as possible for a folder bike small enough to fold up and carry with me to school. Distance: on my road bike it takes 25-60 minutes, depending on where I go.

Single speed is fine, and probably even preferred, as I live in flat area. I would like to have a coaster rear brake (I push pedals back, rear wheel locks up).

Budget: $0-300. So far I only found this: 2009 Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1073623_-1_29000_24500_29508) for $250 + ?? shipping.

Any suggestions for folding newb? Thank you! :love:

Hi guys,

I would like to spend as little as possible for a folder bike small enough to fold up and carry with me to school. Distance: on my road bike it takes 25-60 minutes, depending on where I go.

Single speed is fine, and probably even preferred, as I live in flat area. I would like to have a coaster rear brake (I push pedals back, rear wheel locks up).

Budget: $0-300. So far I only found this: 2009 Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1073623_-1_29000_24500_29508) for $250 + ?? shipping.

Any suggestions for folding newb? Thank you! :love:

Doesn't sound like you need any help. Dahon is a good brand for a newbie. Lots of accessories and dealers for their bikes which will make commuting much easier.

Given your budget, you might want to consider a used folder.

BTW, what do you mean by carry? Literally pick it up or are you allowed to roll it around while folded? Will your school allow folding bikes inside? Will they demand that it be enclosed in a bag?

I think you should get a used Dahon. It's going to hold up better than what you can afford new.

Walmart does sell folding bikes, but you get what you pay for.

New, I have found these for under $300
Citizen has quite a few for sale.
16"
http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=10
20"
http://www.citizenbike.com/catalog.asp?product_category_id=1&product_id=1

Giatex (collapsable more than foldable, and it's not that small)
http://ridethisbike.com/giatex_bicycle_specifications.htm

KHS Latte (single speed)
http://www.khsbicycles.com/10_latte_06.htm

Thanks,
Slade

PS I have done research and have a spreadsheet for more pricey folders. If you're interested.

Check out the Flying Pigeon thread http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=498126
' might be what suit your need.

I need to put my bike in a bag and pick up and carry it.
Don't like the gears on Citizen bikes. Want single speed (60-80 gear inches) and coaster brakes.
Not digging the looks of KHS Latte.

Flying Pigeon in thread has too low gearing. Tallest it has is like 56 GI?

re: used Dahon
Craigslist does not have any locally, and I would rather not deal with eBay.

That leaves me Dahon in OP :)

I need to put my bike in a bag and pick up and carry it.

Hmmmm ...

You might want to test this idea out ... putting the Dahon into a bag and carrying it around all day.

... Budget: $0-300. So far I only found this: 2009 Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1073623_-1_29000_24500_29508) for $250 + ?? shipping. ...

If you pick the bike up at one of the Performance Bikes shop in Houston they might not charge shipping. FYI, the Dahon website (www.dahon.com) also lists Daniel Boone Cycles at 5318 Crawford Street as an authorized Dahon dealer. Finally, you can get this bike at www.thorusa.com for $269 plus shipping. If you buy it from Thor you probably won't be charged sales tax. I agree with the recommendation that you should test toting a folded bike around in a bag before purchasing. Performance Bikes or Daniel Boone Cycles should be able to assist you with that.

unicycle. 9 speed.

i have a ezpack folding bike but it has 12" tires. so you will only get a ss?

Hmmmm ...

You might want to test this idea out ... putting the Dahon into a bag and carrying it around all day.

+1 It will be a lot of work.

What's wrong with the road bike?

I called Performance and they have the bike. I looked at the bag in Dahon videos and wow, the thing is huge. So let's forget the bag for now.

What I think I'll do is ride the folder, fold it up and hide it somewhere in school (I work there, so I can probably find a faraway drawer or even get keys to some empty box).

If riding it to school won't work out, I'll just keep it around as a second bike in case I want to ride with someone and they do not have a bike.

What's wrong with my road bike? It's too damn nice and will stand out compared to Walmart junkers in school's bike rack (and thus, get stolen). Campus police says they never saw a bike getting stolen in ~9 years, but that's probably because there weren't any bikes worth stealing anyways.

Another bonus of folder is that storage space in apt is limited, and it's easier to keep a folder than another full size bike (this is why I can't get a junker to ride and park outside school).

SS Road bike pic (http://i39.tinypic.com/fcvdza.jpg)



unicycle. 9 speed.

i have a ezpack folding bike but it has 12" tires. so you will only get a ss?

Didn't know they made unicycles with speeds! I guess internal hub gears?

I'm getting a single speed because I converted my road bike to SS a few months ago and it's been great. I live in the flats and am a strong rider, so 44x14 on Dahon with 20" wheels and 165mm cranks will give me 63 gear inches. If I replace 14T cog with 12T, it will give me 74 GI, which is about right. (Road bike is set up for 78 GI).

And, no thank you @ 12" tire bike, that is too small...

I called Performance and they have the bike. I looked at the bag in Dahon videos and wow, the thing is huge. So let's forget the bag for now.

What I think I'll do is ride the folder, fold it up and hide it somewhere in school (I work there, so I can probably find a faraway drawer or even get keys to some empty box).

If riding it to school won't work out, I'll just keep it around as a second bike in case I want to ride with someone and they do not have a bike.

What's wrong with my road bike? It's too damn nice and will stand out compared to Walmart junkers in school's bike rack (and thus, get stolen). Campus police says they never saw a bike getting stolen in ~9 years, but that's probably because there weren't any bikes worth stealing anyways.

Another bonus of folder is that storage space in apt is limited, and it's easier to keep a folder than another full size bike (this is why I can't get a junker to ride and park outside school).

SS Road bike pic (http://i39.tinypic.com/fcvdza.jpg)




Didn't know they made unicycles with speeds! I guess internal hub gears?

I'm getting a single speed because I converted my road bike to SS a few months ago and it's been great. I live in the flats and am a strong rider, so 44x14 on Dahon with 20" wheels and 165mm cranks will give me 63 gear inches. If I replace 14T cog with 12T, it will give me 74 GI, which is about right. (Road bike is set up for 78 GI).

And, no thank you @ 12" tire bike, that is too small...

Think closet, not drawer, for hiding the Dahon. You probably wouldn't even get a 12" folder into a drawer.

The boardwalk will be a good bike for fitting a second bike into your apartment and storing in a closet at school if you have access (or lock it under the desk where you work). Otherwise it will also be good to lock up to the rack at school because it's not too expensive.

If this meets your expectations then I think it'll be a good choice for you.

Yes, poor choice of words on my part. A closet, not a drawer. This is fine :)
I'll buy the Dahon in a week, when I get paid.

Hi guys,

Budget: $0-300. So far I only found this: 2009 Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike (http://www.performancebike.com/bikes/Product_10052_10551_1073623_-1_29000_24500_29508) for $250 + ?? shipping.

Any suggestions for folding newb? Thank you! :love:

right now performancebike has $50 discount when you buy the boardwalk, so that's $199 for you. you better get it now.

thanks,
vic


Subtotal Before Discounts: $249.99
Total Discounts on Products: -$50.00
Subtotal: $199.99

They had similar discount at the time of OP, price came out to like $202+ship when I added $3 filler to reach $250 cap.

thing, is, shipping is as follows:

($42.99) Regular Shipping
($66.99) 2 Day FedEx

I don't want to wait for ground, so with 2 day, it would be $267.
I'd rather buy in store for $250 + $20 tax (8.25%) = $270, no wait, and professional assembly.

(That discount VERY likely applies to online/phone only, not in-store)

They had similar discount at the time of OP, price came out to like $202+ship when I added $3 filler to reach $250 cap.

thing, is, shipping is as follows:

($42.99) Regular Shipping
($66.99) 2 Day FedEx

I don't want to wait for ground, so with 2 day, it would be $267.
I'd rather buy in store for $250 + $20 tax (8.25%) = $270, no wait, and professional assembly.

(That discount VERY likely applies to online/phone only, not in-store)

nope. performancebike is pretty much good with their online price matching. tell them it is on discount for $199 online and i am pretty sure they will match it. worth the try though.

if you were only near my area this guy was selling 2 dahon boardwalks D7 for $180 (for 2). one was new. it went so fast. i already have 2 boardwalks and that is really a good deal....

What I think I'll do is ride the folder, fold it up and hide it somewhere in school (I work there, so I can probably find a faraway drawer or even get keys to some empty box).



+1

This plays to the strength of folders - they are small and can fit in inconspicuous locations.

But folders don't weigh any less than normal bikes, and carrying around 25-30 lbs of poky metal in addition to your books is a pain. But ride it, fold it, put it in a closet - that's perfect.